Adare leaned in, fury making his skin burn. “I’ll deal with you later, mate.” He turned and fired with both guns, shielding her with his body.

Jacki moved away as far as she could and her bones cracked as she began to shift. Adare covered Grace with his body as further explosions sounded, pushing him even harder against her. His ears rang, but he partially turned to find Jacki padding their way, her fur a tawny brown against the snow. She opened her mouth to reveal long canines and the gap of two missing teeth. One was already growing back in.

Bullets struck the branches above him, snow rained down, and an icicle cut down his temple. The smell of his own blood centered him.

“Grace, you’re going to have to get on and hold on as hard as you can.” He grabbed her biceps and shook her. “Lean low and make yourself the smallest target possible.”

She shook her head, snow falling on her face. “We have a better chance if we’re all here fighting. Two against that many isn’t a good idea.” She tried to pull away from him and failed, her gloved hands pushing against his chest. “This is my fault, and I’m not leaving you to die because of me.”

“I’m not asking,” he growled. If he knocked her out, she wouldn’t be able to hold on to Jacki. He could just put her onto the moving cougar so she’d have to hold on. But there was a chance the stubborn female would just let herself fall off so she could turn around and sacrifice herself to the Cyst. There was only one other option. He looked over his shoulder. “Benny? You wearing a belt?”

Grace gasped and leaned away from him, not getting far with the tree at her back.

“Yeah.” Benny yanked a huge brown belt from his jeans while shooting simultaneously with his free hand. He tossed it over.

Adare ripped his from his waist. “I’ll knock your ass out and tie you to the cougar if you don’t get on.” He meant every word.

The snow lashed them, while the wind knifed through his coat. The Cyst and Kurjans had fanned out, advancing rapidly, even though Benny kept up a steady barrage of bullets. He hit a Kurjan in the head and the bastard went down hard.

The cougar growled in warning, its canines dropping low. The longer she waited to run, the more exposed she’d be to the Kurjans and their bullets.

Grace continued to struggle against Adare.

Regret filled him. He sighed and then tightened his hold on her neck. Her eyes widened, and she grabbed at his arm with both hands, fighting him. He couldn’t bring himself to knock her out. “I will cut off your air, Grace. I don’t want to, but it’s going to happen. Obey me.”

* * * *